Men-Jaro

undefined

Created in 1996, “Men Jaro” (“friendship” in township slang) is one of the first works choreographed by Vincent S. K. Mantsoe, created for five dancers from the Moving into Dance company, who the musicians accompany on stage, playing pieces by the South African composer and ethnomusicologist Anthony Caplan. The piece “celebrates and redefines the intrinsic relationship that exists between African contemporary dance, the rite and African ritual music” [1].

Constructed in twelve tableaux which alternate group dances, trios, duets, solos, the choreography of Vincent Mantsoe is “highly crafted in response to the complex rhythms of Caplan’s music, played on traditional South African instruments like the mbrira (thumb piano), umrhubhe (mouth bow), uhadi (gourd bow), botsorwane (string instrument), drums, shakers and clappers, which perfectly complement the songs of Sasa Magwaza” [2]. The choreographer makes a point of reminding us in the programme notes which accompanied the performance of “Men Jaro” that, in spite of its roots in South African traditions, “it is inspired by the personal heritage of each performer [who are from Japan, the United States, South Africa or France] and the assimilation of other cultures by Vincent Mantsoe”.

In the middle of the piece, the choreographer engages in a long solo, immediately replayed in silence and slow-motion before they combine in a duet. The second part of the work, characterised by a more significant theatricality and slowness, again ends with a female solo.

The work was performed again in 2006-2007 by Vincent Mantsoe’s company during a tour of North America with the African Music Workshop Ensemble and is still a part of his repertoire today. Anthony Caplan’s original composition was given a Bessie Award in 2007.

[1] performance notes for “Men-Jaro”, 2007 tour of North America
[2] ibid.

Statement of intent

“Why “Men-Jaro” explores the bond between South African traditional music and contemporary dance. Man, although he is very much a product of the time in which he lives, is also the fruit of traditions which have made him who he is now. Every man, and in the piece every dancer, is a mix of traditions and modernity. Vincent Mantsoe wants to show that this duality of everyone’s personality is present in gestures, and that each performer expresses himself within his relationship to tradition, guided by his own perception of South African music, and to modernity, through his contemporary body language. This language, like the meeting of modernity and tradition, will express moments of conflict, as well as playful and consensual moments.  

Source : “Description of the piece”, Association NOA -Cie Vincent Mantsoe performance notes for “Men-Jaro”, 2007 tour of North America.

More information

Roslyn Lucas, “Beyond the body, Making Spirit Move”, The New York Times, 22 février 2007

Updating: March 2014